The best president of the United States is widely considered to be Abraham Lincoln. He consistently ranks highest in surveys of historians and experts due to his leadership during the Civil War, his role in preserving the Union, and his pursuit of equal justice, notably through the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln has topped multiple presidential rankings, including those by C-SPAN and other historical studies
. Other presidents frequently ranked among the best include George Washington, the first president and a key figure in American independence and constitutional formation, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Theodore Roosevelt is also noted for his progressive reforms and conservation efforts
. In summary, Abraham Lincoln is most often regarded as the best U.S. president, followed by George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt as leading figures in American presidential history
